Gerry Nelson Smith Jr.

Gerald Nelson Smith Jr. (Gerry) passed away on May 21, 2026 at the age of 82 after a very long battle with Alzheimer’s. Gerry was born August 17, 1943 in Corpus Christi, Texas to parents Gerald Nelson Smith and Mabel Claire Fuqua Smith.

Gerry attended W.B. Ray High School in Corpus Christi, TX. Gerry always had a strong interest in science and nature, and growing up on the coast, he developed a love of the ocean at a young age. He became an avid fisherman and scuba diver, which were his passions throughout his life. As a young adult, Gerry went on a mission trip to Honduras to deliver medical aid to communities in need, an experience that shaped his views and that he deeply valued throughout his life.

Gerry completed his undergraduate degree at Rice University in Houston, TX, and earned his PhD in marine biology at Florida State University. Gerry’s thesis on sea cucumber tissue regeneration ultimately led him to a teaching and research career in medical histology and rheumatology.

Over the course of Gerry’s scientific career, he taught at the University of Toronto and conducted research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Gerry settled in Indianapolis where he ultimately retired from his research career at the Indiana University School of Medicine’s department of Rheumatology.

Gerry spent his retirement years fishing and scuba diving. He loved to share his knowledge of marine biology, and for fourteen years he dedicated daily volunteer time to The Friends of the Zion Nature Center, a group that launched a nature center in Zionsville Indiana in 2002. During his time at the nature center, Gerry established and maintained a marine aquarium exhibit that served to teach visitors about conservation and the interconnectedness of life on earth.

Left to celebrate his life are Therese Burkhard his wife of 42 years and their daughter Lauren Smith-Ramesh, his children Brian Smith, Jason Smith and Allison Teeters, seven grandchildren, and a large extended family. Preceding him in death were his parents and sisters Claire Hook and Susan Tiller.

Upon Gerry’s request there will be no public memorial service. To honor Gerry’s lifelong passion for science, nature, and medical aid, memorial contributions can be sent to any of three organizations that Gerry personally chose to support: the Galapagos Conservancy (galapagos.org), the Nature Conservancy (preserve.nature.org), or Doctors Without Borders (doctorswithoutborders.org). At the family's request, please do not send flowers or plant trees.